““Who’s the Who’s the more foolish: more foolish: The fool or the The fool or the fool who fool who follows him?”follows him?”

– –Obi-Wan Kenobi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness)

Evaluating Web Evaluating Web SourcesSources

Q: What makes a reliable Q: What makes a reliable Website?Website?

A: The degree to which a Website provides direct access to information without distractions.

5 Criteria for Evaluating Web 5 Criteria for Evaluating Web pages pages

1. Accuracy1. Accuracy

2. Authority2. Authority

3. Objectivity 3. Objectivity

4. Currency4. Currency

5. Coverage5. Coverage

ACCURACY ACCURACY

Is the information reliable and Is the information reliable and error-free?error-free?

Is there an editor or someone Is there an editor or someone who verifies/checks the who verifies/checks the information?information?

AUTHORITYAUTHORITY

Is there an author or sponsor?Is there an author or sponsor?– Are they qualified?Are they qualified?– Is there a link to the author or Is there a link to the author or

sponsor?sponsor? Look at the URL domain to see Look at the URL domain to see

what it can tell you about the what it can tell you about the Website.Website.– (.com .edu .gov .net)(.com .edu .gov .net)

OBJECTIVITY OBJECTIVITY

Bias…is the page designed to Bias…is the page designed to sway your opinion about a topic?sway your opinion about a topic?

Are there a lot of Are there a lot of advertisements on the page?advertisements on the page?

CURRENCY CURRENCY

What was the last What was the last update on the update on the Website?Website?

Is the information Is the information outdated?outdated?

Are there dead links Are there dead links (links that no longer (links that no longer exist)?exist)?

COVERAGE COVERAGE

What topics are covered?What topics are covered?– Sometimes information is “just for fun,” or a Sometimes information is “just for fun,” or a

hoax, or someone’s personal expressionhoax, or someone’s personal expression

How in-depth is the material?How in-depth is the material?– Can you get enough information to answer Can you get enough information to answer

your questions about the topic?your questions about the topic?– The page may or may not include links to other The page may or may not include links to other

web pages for more informationweb pages for more information– Does the page include the author’s list of Does the page include the author’s list of

sources he or she used?sources he or she used?

Works CitedWorks CitedBeck, Susan E. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” 2009. Beck, Susan E. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” 2009. New Mexico State University LibraryNew Mexico State University Library. 12 Feb. 2009 . 12 Feb. 2009 <http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html>.<http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/eval.html>.

““Guinness, Alec.” Guinness, Alec.” IMDBIMDB. 12 Feb. 2009 . 12 Feb. 2009 <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000027/>.<http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000027/>.

Kapoun, Jim. “Teaching Undergrads WEB evaluation: A Kapoun, Jim. “Teaching Undergrads WEB evaluation: A Guide for Library Instruction.” Guide for Library Instruction.” C&RL NewsC&RL News July/August 1998: 522-523.July/August 1998: 522-523.

Stapleton, Paul. “Evaluating web-sources: Internet Literacy Stapleton, Paul. “Evaluating web-sources: Internet Literacy and L2 Academic Writing.” and L2 Academic Writing.” ELT Journal: English ELT Journal: English Language Teachers Journal. Language Teachers Journal. April 2005: 135-143.April 2005: 135-143.

The World's Worst WebsiteThe World's Worst Website

Let’s critique this website based on: Let’s critique this website based on: AccuracyAccuracy-is the information reliable?-is the information reliable? AuthorityAuthority-who’s the author or sponsor?-who’s the author or sponsor? ObjectivityObjectivity-are there a lot of -are there a lot of

advertisements?advertisements? CurrencyCurrency-is the information outdated?-is the information outdated? CoverageCoverage-can you get enough information -can you get enough information

to answer your questions about the topic?to answer your questions about the topic?